Episode 1015: The Age of the Fallen Gods (3)
Wheeooooh───
Snowstorms always rage at the summit of the blue mountain range located in the central continent.
If you think of the typical winter chill, you will be in for a rude awakening.
In cold so severe that it feels like it will freeze to the bone marrow, even magic items equipped with insulation will break down if exposed for a long time.
As the god descends,sculpt a temple for the god.
Dozens of days ago, Jose traversed the bitter cold of these mountain ranges as his heart led him, and found the snowy mountain cave where Verden had become a transcendent being.
In that deep cavity… … .
The entire massive stone pillar was carved to sculpt the temple starting from the top. Several pillars were constructed, a circular staircase was built, and murals were carved.A large statue of a god was also crafted, but only the face was left to be finished off alongside Renard, Fay, and Haenel.
However, due to the children’s sudden fever, Jose had to leave the Blue Mountains, and soon after, he was captured by Gluttony, leaving the temple abandoned.
A temple that can never be completed.Solitary darkness.
But a faint, resonant, regular sound.
Knock… … knock… … knock… … .
Water droplets forming on the high ceiling fall precisely onto the statue. They linger on the face for a moment, then trickle down the cheek and drop onto the chin.
As the water containing ice fragments falls ceaselessly under gravity, even the frozen statue is inevitably chipped away little by little.As it gradually takes on a delicate contour, Verden’s face is sculpted.
Knock… … knock… … .
It was a sight as if the temple were completing itself.
* * *
Ancient Adventure.
Heeheehee!
Ansir’s warhorse was luxurious, so it was released in a conspicuous place. Verden, who had hid himself until Eisenfall wrapped in an ordinary robe, arrived at the castle gate.
The role assigned strictly as a roleplay is that of a betrayed mercenary. The one who took the stage for the second game is Verden’s true form.
Verden pulled his hood down low to cover even his ash-colored hair, then peeked his face at the toll collector stationed in front of the castle gate with the soldiers.
“I-I suppose you are a traveler. If you do not have a pass, the toll is 3 Daedonghwa. Th-a temporary pass is 1 silver coin…”
The collector was extremely polite, perhaps thinking I was of noble birth. He didn’t seem to be trying to scam me, but even if he were, I wouldn’t really care.It wasn’t my money anyway.I had several gold coins, so I probably wouldn’t run out of money.
“Your name? Asher. Asher. Asher, Asher…… Here, here is a temporary pass. Please be careful, as losing this will cost two silver coins for the next issuance, haha.”
The toll collector bowed and scraped the way immediately.
Thanks to this, Verden was able to enter the city with a temporary pass without being subjected to a thorough body search. As he crossed the small gate of the castle, a city from a time when fate did not exist hung in his eyes.
‘really…….’
Verden frowned.
It is truly absolutely terrible.
There are more than a few complaints.For one thing, the stench is difficult to deal with.
It was comparable to the rotting corpses of monstrous creatures in the lightless cave, one of the two forbidden places in the Kingdom of Estiria…but since Verden’s sense of smell was much sharper than it was then, the shock hit him several times harder.
“Ah, I said throw it somewhere else!”“Who told you to stay there!”
People are throwing the feces accumulated in the chamber pot out onto the street from the building, and the person who was about to get hit gets angry, roughly brushes off their clothes, and leaves.
The unpaved road was covered in dirt and debris, and at a glance, it appeared that the drainage and sewage systems were also not properly equipped.
“The City of Destiny, Rendibhar, seen in the Rift of the World, was technically crude and dilapidated, but this place looks just like the Stone Age. The setting is the same, but is this the difference between the capital of a great empire and a frontier city?”
Verden, a modern person and a graduate of the Magic Tower at that, could not understand how one could live so nonchalantly in a street like this.It seemed difficult to survive for long in this era if one had a weak immune system.
Alpha and Beta glanced at the city scenery, then quickly burrowed inside the armor.
I’ll cover you with a robe, so you can take your time looking around.
[specification.]
[The air quality is poor. The frame might get dirty.]
Alpha and Beta also seemed quite displeased with the mess. Verden chuckled softly, patted his chest, and moved forward.He stepped onto the few pieces of ground he could find to look for a place where he could gather information.
A small fortress was visible to the north of the city.
The Margrave is most likely inside there, but it would be dangerous to just barge in. There might be some ancient artifacts there, after all. It would be best to find out his exact location first… … Where would be a good spot?
The tavern isn’t bad, but it doesn’t seem suitable for obtaining material for the Margrave. This era is incomparably harsher than the modern age.
Slavery is legal, andthe international society that Verden knows does not exist.
There is naturally no way anyone would speak openly about the Margrave with the resolve that it is okay to be summarily executed for lese-majesty.
It doesn’t matter since the mercenaries probably don’t know much about the Margrave, but I should have spared at least one of the attendants.
I instantly raised my concentration to the maximum to immediately counter the ancient artifact whose effects I did not know. That is how I dealt with the knight and his surroundings in a single blow.It was the result of maintaining a heightened state of vigilance, as Verden was not at full strength.
Well, that’s in the past.
‘……hmm?’
While exploring a city he disliked so much, he suddenly stopped. A shop with a book drawn on its sign. Verden stepped inside as if entranced.
Ding, ding.
Even though the bell was ringing, the old man who appeared to be the owner was dozing off. The musty smell of old paper brushed past my nose.
This place is at least better.
It doesn’t seem like a place where you can get clues about the Margrave, though.
Verden roughly skimmed through a book. As expected, it was not a model. The content was filled from beginning to end around a single theme.
Even the smallest details are packed in.
If it weren’t for the people whose bodies were fake despite having souls, he too would have unwittingly regarded this world, which is nothing more than a game, as reality.
‘anyway.’
Verden examined the books while looking around to see what an ancient bookstore was like. He was accumulating knowledge. Perhaps there might be a clue somewhere.
[Your Majesty Asher. Curiosity?]
“any.”
It was then.
Verden discovered the spine of a dark blue book sitting in the middle of the bookshelf. It was unremarkable, yet for some reason, it caught his eye.He grabbed the edge.At the same time, Verden’s magical senses reacted acutely, stimulating his mind.
An object related to magic.
Verden immediately paused while turning the page. It was because nothing was written inside. As Verden examined it closely, he felt a sense of déjà vu.
Wait. This is… … .
Verden narrowed his eyebrows as he examined the entire book as if digging into it.
“A magic book?”
A magic book is a magical item that consumes magic stones to register specific spells and enhances the user’s magical capabilities.
The current Verden possesses the Earth Magic Book, Lightning Magic Book, and Flame Magic Book by opening them himself, and is utilizing them by absorbing all of them into the [Magic Book of Multiplication] received from the Ark.
In a shabby bookstore, Verden found a magic book that looked different from the ones he knew. However, even though the appearance was different, he could feel that it was a genuine magic book. Moreover,it appeared to be unregistered.
He should have been pleased, but Verden felt bewildered first.
“Spellbooks are items that only the Artisan Magic Tower can craft, so why is there something similar to a spellbook in ancient times?”
* * *
Although magic books are produced at the Artisan Magic Tower, unregistered magic books are released into the market at most once every few years.
Even that cannot be guaranteed.
Unregistered magic books are difficult to obtain even with tens of billions of elk. It is not for nothing that they were kept in the treasure vault at the Bohemian Magic Tower, nor is it for nothing that Verden stole them.
‘It can’t be that the host changed the appearance and placed it there on purpose…’
I never thought that the host, who had emphasized the ancient times several times, would go out of his way to put modern items in there.
[It is possible that modern magic books were created as a result of discovering and analyzing ancient magic books at the Artisan Magic Tower.]
[agreement.]
It is a valid hypothesis.
Since ancient artifacts of unknown origin can transcend time and play an active role in the modern era, one cannot rule out the possibility that ancient magic books were also passed down to the modern age through fate and the ages.
Still, it weighs on my mind.
When Verden first unleashed the Gring Arcanum, the host once said this.
───{You possess the [Book of Dawon’s Magic], which is not yet complete. In that case, I will use this as a simple gift as a courtesy.}
And what was given as a gift was an unregistered magic book.
‘[Dawon’s Book of Magic] is an artifact that absorbs only elemental book of magic. Unlike conventional book of magic, it enhances the corresponding attribute’s magic overall without the need to register spells… … That is all I know, but could there be some other hidden function?’
What is the origin of the magic book?
Believing he had encountered the possibility of new knowledge, Verden examined the game’s record book.
Second Game: Ancient Adventure.
Participant: Fourth Guest of Honor – Asher.
Task of Knowledge: Acquire ‘Starlight of Dawn’
[ Acquired Knowledge ]
• The faith of the Morning Star has fallen.• The setting of the ancient adventure is the era when the Second Apostle reigned during his human days.• What is the origin of the magic book?
[ Acquired Item ]
• Equipment: Execution of Submergence – Eisenfall• Tool: Unregistered Spellbook (Ancient)
The record book has been updated.
Verden composed himself as he caressed a magic book from a distant era. He understood firsthand what primeval adventures could mean to him.
I might get much more out of here than I thought.
A thirst for knowledge arose.
Verden scanned the bookshelf, and after confirming that there were no more treasures like this magic book, he headed to the checkout counter.
The old man, who had been dozing off absentmindedly, yawned deeply while picking at his ear.
“Huh? Oh, that… it’s a book that isn’t sold.”
widely.
Verden placed six silver coins as payment, then added one gold coin, sending an intense look that signaled there would be no further negotiation.
Thank you, sir.
The old innkeeper straightened his clothes and bowed politely.He is quite good at handling affairs.
Just as Verden, having unexpectedly acquired a magic book, was about to leave the bookstore harboring deep doubts about the world, someone entered from outside.
“Owner, have any new books arrived?”
A sturdy man wearing imposing armor.A symbol was engraved on the armor.Like Ansir, whom Verden had dealt with, he was a knight belonging to the Margrave family of Brohnath.
“Oh dear, welcome, Sir Luzak! New books just arrived, but I wasn’t sure which one you would like, so I’ve set them all aside for now.……”“Ah, wait a moment.”
The knight named Luzak stopped the old man and narrowed his eyes. At this, Verden lifted his hood and met Luzak’s gaze.
Verden asked.
“Luzak Paltein, is that you?”“The fourth guest of honor! As expected, you were the fourth guest of honor!”
Luzak, the sixteenth distinguished guest of Arkadium, expressed his delight with a bright smile.
* * *
Under the guise of Luzak, they rented a private room in a tavern and sat facing each other. Alpha and Beta also stepped out of their armor and took the left and right sides of Verden.
“I didn’t know you would be assigned the role of a knight. And by the Margrave of Brohnad at that.”“You were lucky. This is the first time I’ve received such a high rank in an adventure. It was truly a relief that I wasn’t some mercenary in danger right from the start.”“…….”
Being a betrayed mercenary seemed to be a very bad start. Then again, without Verden’s level of martial prowess, he would have simply died.
[Luzak. Why the human form? Where is the walrus trunk?]
[The grayish-white brain is not visible either.]
Just as with Verden, the participants who enter the game reflect their true selves. Luzak should be the same, but he was currently a rather handsome human knight.
Luzak laughed heartily.
“Speaking of which, this is my true self.”
[True form?]
“I, too, was born with the back of my head cracked open, revealing my grayish-white brain, and a trunk as thick and rough as a walrus. I don’t have a precise memory of it, but… anyway, I feel that this is my true self. The other participants in Arcadium must feel the same way. That is why everyone loves adventure games.”
Luzak clenched and unclenched his hand.
“Because it’s somehow free…….”
“The ancient times are a big problem, but—” Ruzak muttered gloomily.
Is Ruzak human?
Verden felt an urge to re-examine his records, but he resisted. Since he did not know what kind of intellectual task Luzak was carrying out, he could not rashly reveal the task.
Don’t let your guard down.
If the task is the exact opposite of Luzak’s, he could become an enemy. I don’t particularly intend to harm Luzak, but Luzak might not share the same thoughts.
Let’s leave the mystery of Luzak’s existence for later.
Verden asked directly.
“Luzak, I heard the Margrave you serve is searching for a Believer of the Morning Star.”“Ah, indeed. He is currently gathering mercenaries. Ansir, known as the Knight of the Guillotine, is in charge. I also hear that lower-ranking nobles loyal to the Margrave are bringing their own troops.”“I heard the rumors about the Believer of the Morning Star might be false again, but this is quite serious.”“It is because I know their whereabouts for sure. If Ansir is the left hand, then I am the Margrave of Brohnath’s right hand, so I know well. Haha.”“Ah… I see. That is quite a relief.”
Verden nodded and leaned back.
Alpha and Beta’s eyes lit up.
[Luzak Paltein has two options.]
“Hmm? What options do you mean?”
[First. Cooperate willingly with His Majesty Asher.]
Alpha lifted Verden’s robe. Ansir’s sword, Eisenfall, was clearly revealed. Ruzak blinked and flinched.
[Second. Hit.]
“ah.”
Luzak twitched his expression and pulled his chin in as if he understood the situation.
“……The fourth guest of honor is seeking the Knight of the Dawn. It must surely be related to the Task of Knowledge. Well, then, how about we make a deal?”“A deal?”“I will let you know the whereabouts of the Believers of the Morning Star if you would grant me just one favor?”“Speak.”
Luzak leaned his upper body closer and clasped his hands together.
“Kill Margrave Brochnath.”
[why?]
“Knight of Rebellion. That is because it is the role and situation assigned to me in this game.”
* * *
The House of Baron Rach, located very close to the territory of Margrave Brohnath, prepared soldiers to meet the Margrave regarding the matter of the believers of the Morning Star.
Baron Rach said.
“Daughter, you must make a good impression on the Margrave at all costs. Absolutely! You must never cause him any offense.”“Yes.”“I will assign a renowned magic teacher to you, so try your best to catch the Margrave’s eye. And change your manner of speaking, too. I trust you understand what I’m saying.”“Shut up.”
Terrine, the daughter of Baron Rach, glared at him with a cold reaction. Baron Rach, frightened by something, cleared his throat and left.
Soon, the carriage arrived.
The Baron’s butler got off first, showing consideration for the guest riding behind him. As Terrine approached, the butler politely introduced the guest.
“The great magic teacher. I am Teacher Magion, young lady.”
Terrine, that is, Black Sea Thearel, who had been assigned the situation and role of the Baron’s daughter, looked straight at Magion and pointed with her hand.
“It’s Sub, no, it’s Magion.”“…….”
Magion—the Provider, Deus Widen let out a small sigh.
Teacher and young lady.
The Providence and the Black Sea met in that way.
